The two major symptoms are joint and muscle pain and an extreme tiredness that won't go away no matter how much you rest.
Rashes, depression, anaemia, feverishness, headaches, possible hair loss and mouth ulcers may all be part of the pattern of lupus.
Noticeably, whilst the two major symptoms are invariably present, people with lupus can differ greatly in their symptoms and how the illness can affect them - life-threatening for a few, very mild for some. Miscarriage, often recurrent, is another unhappy complication of lupus.

A number of illnesses arise from a faulty immune system - two we know well are arthritis and rheumatism. Often the lupus patient has family members with these autoimmune conditions or others such as MS, thyroid problems, diabetes, Raynauds, scleroderma, Sjogrens and others.

A viral infection, strong medication, sunlight, trauma, around puberty, after childbirth and the menopause can all contribute. Environmental factors may also contribute in some way.
Any two or more of these can also combine to set off the illness.

The range of symptoms can mislead GPs but there are specific blood tests available.
The individual's medical history gives good indications to lupus specialists, usually rheumatologists. Other specialists who may treat lupus patients include renal experts, obstetricians, dermatologists and cardiologists.
On balance, diagnosis is not easy and it would help enormously if family doctors were able to be better informed about lupus..

That's far from easy - the immune system is very complex and doctors are still trying to fully understand its workings. For the present, any one or more of a range of medications is prescribed to attempt to control the illness and to dampen down its effects.

Lupus is generally treated using anti-malarials (such as hydroxychloroquine) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Steroids such as prednisolone have been vital in the improvement in lupus care and in some cases are life saving. Immunosuppressants are widely used in more severe cases. The most commonly used are azathioprine, methotrexate and cyclophosphamide.

Patients can certainly be positive in obtaining good information on lupus and in learning to 'pace' themselves - rest is very essential.
Being open with family and friends about the unpredictable pattern of lupus helps, and stress, depression and pain each need to be managed.
Avoiding direct sunlight always helps.
Seeking assistance at the right time from doctors or the family takes some resolve but is a 'must'.

There's far more undiagnosed lupus out there being 'put up with' and we have to increase awareness hugely if these people are to be diagnosed and then get some quality back into their lives. Lupus is usually 'for life' at present, having an ongoing impact upon the patient and also upon her or his parents, children, friends and colleagues.

A qualified yes - the majority of young women with lupus suffer no problems on the oral contraceptive pill. However, it is now recognized that those women with antiphospholipid antibodies are at increased risk of thrombosis or migraine when taking the pill. Perhaps surprisingly, hormone replacement therapy, often given to treat osteoporosis in post-menopausal lupus patients, is generally well tolerated with few side-effects.

Bold initiatives such as stem cell transplants are being experimented with, and the genetic background puzzle of lupus is gradually being uncovered. More significant developments are likely and new medications are gradually being introduced.
Medical knowledge increases all the time and there's no doubt that the lupus patient is having her/his illness under better control and management than ever before. Doctors are successfully tailoring medication now to individual patient need, and the future for the lupus patient looks ever more hopeful.

Emphatically yes! The many symptoms of lupus, differing from patient to patient, can easily cause the practitioner to lean towards a more comfortable or better-known ailment. Knowledge of the lupus condition is vitally needed for quick and accurate diagnosis that may prevent the onset of major organ damage.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT - YOU DON'T DIAGNOSE IT......